From thigh-high cuts to oversized silhouettes

For years, summer fashion was dominated by ever-shorter shorts, with celebrities and luxury brands embracing bold, thigh-revealing styles. Figures including Donald Glover, Paul Mescal and Harry Styles helped popularise the trend, often appearing in fitted shorts designed to highlight toned legs.

Fashion houses such as Prada, Tom Ford and Saint Laurent also pushed the style forward on international runways, showcasing increasingly shorter designs.

But the fashion mood is now shifting.

Oversized shorts return to the spotlight

Across major cities and social media platforms, oversized shorts are rapidly replacing the once-popular short-shorts trend. Loose, flowing designs that extend below the knee are becoming a defining look of the season.

Dubbed “Big Shorts Summer” by fashion observers, the movement embraces wider silhouettes, relaxed tailoring and more dramatic proportions.

Supporters of the style say the larger cuts offer comfort, confidence and freedom of movement while rejecting the slim, tightly fitted menswear styles that dominated previous years.

Designers link trend to American street culture

Designer Willy Chavarria said oversized shorts reflect a distinctly American approach to fashion, inspired by workwear, streetwear, skate culture and Chicano influences.

He said the trend also signals changing attitudes among younger men, who are increasingly experimenting with shape and volume in their clothing choices.

“For a long time, menswear became very controlled: slim, fitted, hypergroomed,” Chavarria said. “Oversized shorts reject that notion, as they create movement, ease, and confidence.”

Fashion industry sees broader move toward relaxed dressing

The growing popularity of oversized shorts comes amid a wider shift toward looser and more relaxed fashion trends globally.

Industry observers say consumers are increasingly prioritising comfort and individuality over sharply tailored looks, particularly in casual summer wear.